May 12, 2017

March 17th, our Birthday Boy hit Double Digits! Leading up to the big day, I kept hearing, "I'm almost double digits". ... and I was trying to figure out how it could be?!

I didn't go all Super Mom this year for birthday treats at school. He brought M&M ice cream bars to share with his class, and it meant one less thing for me to do, hooray!

We anxiously awaited for Dad to get home from work so he could open his gifts from Dan and I.

An unusual way to receive a bike for a gift. Dan had went to the bike shop to attempt to purchase a new bike for Caden, but since our kiddo doesn't fit the average mold, it made it a little more difficult. So we agreed to take him to the bike shop Monday after school.

A very generous check arrived in the mail from Uncle Chris. Chris spoils our boy ... his generosity helps us get to the LPA National Convention each year {love!}.

His "friend" birthday party was Saturday morning. His request this year was an X-Box themed party. I did the best I could ...

Caden wanted chicken wings and pizza for lunch. I felt like I was cooking for a bunch of frat boys. Stop growing up kid!

... and {happy birthday to you} he doesn't like cake so we had ice cream sundaes.

After his kiddo party we bbq'd with my parents, grandma and Dan's parents. I cleaned up from the tornado of a day, went to get my jammies on and came back out to find the book ends snoring. {I guess that's a sign he had a great day}.

Monday, after school, we went to Cycle Central to buy the kiddo his new birthday bike. If you are local, I highly recommend Cycle Central. It was well worth our money. Within an hour we were in and out with a bike, with modifications just right for Caden! {love it!!!}

... home and ready to go!

... within no time he had it down!

... a couple days later his huge pirate ship arrived. It wasn't released until the day of his birthday, so he was given an "it's coming card". ... it was a birthday that kept on giving.

It's hard to believe how much this kid has accomplished in TEN years! Happy Birthday Buddy!!!

This is what fun looks like! I am having a birthday party for my son next month as well in a really fun event venue. He really likes doing adventurous things and I’m going to organize a treasure hunt themed party this time around. One of my buddies is helping me. Have a happy new year!

Caden's Story

Caden arrived in March of 2007 ... five weeks earlier than expected. To read Caden’s birth story click here. We received Caden’s achondroplasia diagnosis in April of 2008. I have learned three things since Caden’s birth: doctor's really don't know everything, our medical and health insurance system needs improvement! and being a Mommy is the greatest thing in world!!!

To us Caden is just "Caden" he may be little ~ but we go about our crazy daily life just like any other family ~ except we have a few more doctor appointments then the average family!

If you are the parent of a child with achondroplasia I would love to hear from you ~ please leave a comment! I am always looking to meet families with LP’s in Washington State :0)

Love This

"Society has tended to look at dwarfism as a disease, when it should be viewed as an example of diversity. We will address whatever medical problems come up, but these are not children who are broken and need to be cured. They have the same needs and capacities as every other child. They just happen to be short.” Dr. Michael Goldberg